Denver Airport (DEN) Security Wait Times and TSA
Security wait times at Denver International Airport typically range from 5 to 30 minutes for standard screening. Multiple procedures are to be completed before heading towards the boarding gates. It is easier to pass through these security gates with the assistance of the two security gates present at the airport, named South Security and West Security. Earlier, there used to be another checkpoint, the Bridge security, which is now permanently closed. But the available checkpoints offer both TSA and CLEAR facilities that help in accelerating the process and reducing Denver Airport Security wait times.
Duration of Denver International Airport security wait times
Denver Airport wait time at security takes approximately 5 to 30 minutes to get clear. Being a busy airport and dealing with too many passengers, this is a small time. Multiple gates are present and they differ for all of them; however, it is under 16 minutes, according to the official website of Denver Airport.
Security Checkpoints at Denver International Airport
| Checkpoint | South Checkpoint | West Checkpoint |
| Location | Level 5 | Level 6 |
| Working Hours | 3 a.m. to 1 a.m. (the next morning) | 4.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. |
| TSA PreCheck | Available | Available |
Average Denver Airport Security Wait Times
| AM Timings | Average Wait Time | PM Timings | Average Wait Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 to 1 | 1-2 minutes | 12 to 1 | 12 minutes |
| 1 to 2 | 0 minutes | 1 to 2 | 14 minutes |
| 2 to 3 | 6 minutes | 2 to 3 | 19 minutes |
| 3 to 4 | 12 minutes | 3 to 4 | 9 minutes |
| 4 to 5 | 20 minutes | 4 to 5 | 9 minutes |
| 5 to 6 | 24 minutes | 5 to 6 | 11 minutes |
| 6 to 7 | 14 minutes | 6 to 7 | 7 minutes |
| 7 to 8 | 20 minutes | 7 to 8 | 2-3 minutes |
| 8 to 9 | 7 minutes | 8 to 9 | 2 minutes |
| 9 to 10 | 21 minutes | 9 to 10 | 0-1 minutes |
| 10 to 11 | 13 minutes | 10 to 11 | 1 minutes |
| 11 to 12 | 14 minutes | 11 to 12 | 0 minutes |
Estimated Walking Time to reach the boarding gates after clearing security at South and West Security Checkpoints
| Gate numbers | Walking Times |
|---|---|
| Gates A14 to A25 | 12 minutes |
| Gates A26 to A32 | 9 minutes |
| Gates A34 to A39 | 6 minutes |
| Gates A40 to A47 | 5 minutes |
| Gates A48 to A53 | 7 minutes |
| Gates B7 to B12 | 13 minutes |
| Gates B15 to B22 | 12 minutes |
| Gates B23 to B29 | 10 minutes |
| Gates B31 to B37 | 8 minutes |
| Gates B38 to B44 | 7 minutes |
| Gates B45 to B52 | 8 minutes |
| Gates B53 to B61 | 11 minutes |
| Gates B62 to B71 | 13 minutes |
| Gates C23 to C31 | 13 minutes |
| Gates C32 to C39 | 11 minutes |
| Gates C40 to C47 | 9 minutes |
| Gates C48 to C54 | 11 minutes |
| Gates C55 to C62 | 13 minutes |
| Gates C63 to C67 | 15 minutes |
Both security checkpoints have the same walking times. But, it might take more than this time to reach the assigned boarding gates.
South Security Checkpoint
This checkpoint extends three dedicated lanes to assist passengers with their security according to their priority section. Fliers can access this lane near the baggage claim area at level 5. Generally, it takes 10-12 minutes to clear South Security checkpoints.
| CHECKPOINT LANES | Approachable For |
|---|---|
| Primary Lane | Standard Screening for Travelers |
| CLEAR Lane Near Bag Claim 7 | CLEAR customers without TSA PreCheck |
| Restricted Access Lane | Premium and Premier Access Travelers, Fliers with limited mobility and special needs, Military personnel, and Employees. |
West Security Checkpoint
Situated on level 6, the West Security Checkpoint is the newest and most advanced at the Denver International Airport. There are three separate lanes designed to meet travelers’ needs. This area is ideal for TSA PreCheck and CLEAR membership, which allows them to pass through security within 2 minutes.
| Checkpoint | Location | Accessible By |
|---|---|---|
| West Security 1 | Behind the United Airlines Check-in counters | Standard screening for travelers. |
| West Security 2 | North of the United Airlines ticketing counters | DEN Reserve Premium travelers, with limited mobility and special needs, and badged employees. |
| West Security 3 | North of the United Airlines ticketing counters | TSA PreCheck passengers and CLEAR travelers. |
Denver International Airport Custom Wait Times
For traveling internationally, it is essential to clear customs. It’s done through the immigration checkpoints at the DEN Airport. These can generally take up to an hour to get clearance. However, the airport has some schemes by which the wait times can be shortened.
- APC: Automated Passport Control, also known as E-Gates. Through this, fliers can directly access the self-check-in kiosks that are especially designed to ease the crowd at counters and reduce wait times.
- MPC: Mobile Passport Control. This extends a platform for passengers to submit their passport and customs declaration details through mobile or tablet beforehand.
Get in Touch with Denver International Airport
- Airport Address: 8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80249
- Helpline Number: (720) 730- IFLY (4359)
- Website: https://www.flydenver.com/
- Mailing Address: info@flydenver.com
Operating Timings: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
End Note
The Denver Airport security wait time precisely clears under 30 minutes. But if the passenger is traveling internationally, then it might take an hour to get clearance for customs. There are some programs set up by the airport to manage the wait time, such as TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, APC, and MPC. Travelers can enroll in these and get through the security within 5-8 minutes, which varies according to the checkpoints. South and West security checkpoints both offer these facilities to provide well-organized security lanes to travelers according to their priorities.
NOTE: Before traveling to any country or city, it is important to know about the wait times at the airport to plan arrival accordingly, especially while heading to/from the USA. For example, the primary airport in Florida, Orlando Airport, Security Wait Time is 10 minutes to 1 hour.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
On average, it takes 5 to 30 minutes to pass the security checkpoints at the Denver International Airport.
Currently, there are 2 checkpoints at the airport: South Security Checkpoint and West Security Checkpoint.
The CLEAR opens at 4.15 a.m. at the West Security Checkpoint on DEN Airport.
No, the Bridge security checkpoint has been permanently closed by the Denver airport.
The South Security Checkpoint is located at Level 5 near the baggage claim area.
You should move to the west security checkpoints 3, as all the passengers who have both PreCheck and CLEAR are handled there.
The contact number of Denver Airport is (720) 730- IFLY (4359).
This Helpline number works 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Any query will be dealt with during the operating hours only.
Passengers must arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before their scheduled flight to have a stress-free Security Screening.
The estimated time to reach Gate A49 after security checking is 7 minutes; however, it is just an estimate and can take more or less, depending on the traveler.
To pass security screening quickly, passengers can purchase services like TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, APC, and MPC.